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Monday, December 17, 2018

How to Make Super Easy Gingerbread Cookies

If you have wanted to make gingerbread men but are too intimidated or short on time I have a great kitchen cheat for you! Even I was able to successfully bake these cookies with Wilton Gingerbread Man Cookie pans and Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix. However, please note that the Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie mix is "limited edition". Perhaps it is only seasonal. So stock up now for your future gingerbread cookie-baking adventures.

Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix

I depend on cookie mixes. And have had really good luck with the Snickerdoodle and the Peanut Butter flavors. So it was an easy thing for me to buy the Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix.

I followed the directions on the bag to make the cookie dough. The ingredients list is super short:

bag of cookie mix
stick of butter
one egg
tablespoon of water.

I split the dough in half - using one half for each pan - and dropped by small spoonfuls into the pans.

Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix 17.5 Oz (Pack of 2)Check Price

Wilton Gingerbread Man Cookie Pan

When I saw these adorable cookie pans at a local big box store, I could not resist. I'm not at all skilled with baking, but I really wanted to try these shaped cookie pans. I have had a great time making these cookies and I think these would be fun pans to use when baking with a child.

The pans are nearly 12" tall! They are non-stick (I still used a very light coating of spray cooking oil). And the pans have raised details that create slight indentations in the finished cookies. The indentations can be guides for icing placement. I left mine plain (I tell myself that because I left the frosting off the cookies were a "healthier" version of cookie!)

Big Gingerbread Man cookie pans by Wilton

Super Easy Gingerbread Cookie Pros and Cons

The best things about these super easy gingerbread cookies are that they are quick, easy, and tasty. Minimal time is spend in the kitchen and the cookies are oh so good.

When the pans are filled using the "dropped by small spoonfuls" technique the cookies are big and soft (similar to a brownie). I prefer that type of cookie.

My picky-eater friend said that the flavor was very good. I agree.

The possible "cons" of these cookies are that these are not the gingerbread cookies your grandmother made. If you are looking for original gingerbread men, this may not be what you are looking for.

These cookies were not the "crispy"/"crunchy" original style of gingerbread men.

I have made these cookies using these pans three times. I have learned that the gingerbread dough does not "spread" during baking as much as some other cookie dough. So my first attempts resulted in the hands and feet not being fully formed. On my most recent attempt, I dropped small spoonfuls of dough in the cookie pans feet and hands. That created fully formed hands and feet.

My next attempt will include pressing the dough down into the pan to see if the result with be the thinner and more crunchy cookies.

Wilton Gingerbread Man / Boy Cookie Pan 2105-0056Check Price

Related Link:

Do you love Snickerdoodles?
Do you prefer super thick, cake-like cookies?

Me too!

Check out my Easy Snickerdoodle Cookie Pie recipe.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Sunday, December 16, 2018

How to Create a Zodiac Sign Themed Party

If you're planning a zodiac themed party, below you'll find ideas to help get you started.

Your astrology party is all about the décor, the games, the prizes and the food. Anything you do that incorporates astrology will work. Incorporate one or all of these suggestions:

1. The Decorations and Accessories

Use wine glasses that feature each zodiac sign. Depending on the size of your party, and budget permitting, determine how many wine glass duplicates you'll need. In other words, if you have more than one person per zodiac sign, you'll need multiple wine glasses in that sign.
If purchasing wine glasses for multiple signs to cover all the zodiac signs is too expensive, then opt for astrology wine charms. Get multiple sets so that each person can grab their astrology sign wine charm and attach it to their wine glass.
Use zodiac astrology table cloths and napkins. Of course you can purchase the table cloths, however, to save money, you can also DIY this part of your décor. Get plain white tablecloths from the dollar store, and use a permanent marker to write a sign or multiple signs directly onto it. If you're having a large party and happen to have twelve tables, give each table a sign name. If you only have a few tables, or one table, write multiple sign names on each. You could split up the groupings according to the zodiac elements, Earth, Fire, Water, and Air.
Use the symbols for each sign as wall décor. As an example, Leo the Lion, Taurus the Bull, and so on. That gives you twelve posters to feature around the room.
Use crystal balls as table center pieces.

2. The Games and Entertainment

Budget permitting, hire a Psychic for the party! If nothing else, it will get everyone talking!
On twelve large sheets of paper, write 5 personality traits that typically represent each sign. Put the sheets on the wall where everyone can see and read them. Then, on a piece of paper, have people write which sign matches each of the 12 traits. The top three winners each get a prize.
Print out the constellations for each sign, or buy the posters of each, and have people match the astrology sign name with the constellation. Again, they'd write their answers down and hand them in to be graded for the winning prize.
Play scrabble, but add a rule that all words have to be astrology, astronomy, or space related.
Create a music playlist that features songs that are mystical or space related

3. Prize Ideas for Your Astrology Party

Astrology fridge magnets that give the traits of the person. Here's an example.
Astrology T-shirts
Lottery Tickets
Crystals that represent each sign
A Moon Lamp
Books about Astrology
A Trip to Mars (They'll have to settle for a book about it)

4. Food Ideas for Your Astrology Party

Cupcakes with each Zodiac sign spelled out in Icing on top
Have a speciality cake made that highlights all 12 of the zodiac signs on it
Homemade or store bought moon pies
Cheese balls (the moon),
Vegetables trays in the shape of each zodiac sign
Foods related to each zodiac sign
Use each element to categorize foods: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Choose foods related to each one. Use fruits, veggies, meats for Earth - Air chilled meats and popcorn for Air - Spicy foods for Fire, and Seafood for Water.

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Saturday, December 15, 2018

Reviewing How To Reboot Your Body

The end of the year is often a time for reflection and our New Year's starts off with promises to ourselves of keeping good habits, kicking bad habits, taking time out for gratitude and other things.

This year I started my January by doing Arbonne's 30 Days to Healthy Living and Beyond plan and I felt fantastic being on it. This plan is a great way to basically give your body a reboot!

I will be 'rebooting my body' again in January 2019 and I'm going to review the reasons why as well as the what, whys and hows of the plan.

Why I Love The Basic Principles of The 30DTHL Plan

There are three principles behind the plan as I see it -

First foods that are often allergenic, acidic, or hard for the body to digest are eliminated - don't worry it's only for 30 days!
Second, you nourish your body with good, clean food and quality supplements.
Thirdly you support your body as it goes through its rebooting process.

Doesn't that sound good? This was what attracted me to this plan as I had discovered over 10 years ago that certain food could cause my Rheumatoid Arthritis to flare up and yet other foods that cause other people to flare up didn't appear to affect me.

The idea of eliminating and then (this plan does include the words and beyond) re-introducing the different foods gradually so that you can see how they may or may not affect you, this idea is one that I think is brilliant. Everyone is different, but I do think that everyone would benefit from a reboot at least once so that they can find out how different foods affect them.

I also love how the importance of nourishing your body correctly is handled. This program provides you with protein powder to use twice a day meaning you only have to prepare one meal a day (and snacks). Initially, I was a little unsure how I felt about this, however, if I had to prepare three meals to the proportions recommended and not including processed foods I would probably not have lasted the whole 30 days.

We live busy lives and that's what Arbonne gets. The protein powders are specially formulated (and by the way all of the products are vegan, gluten-free & kosher) and although I was skeptical about them filling me up they really do! If you don't want shakes that's fine as you can cook with the protein powder too and there are recipes available for protein porridge, pancakes, waffles & lots more ideas.

Personally, I love making up a shake in the morning as I find it quick, easy and filling. On the weekends I will often treat myself to delicious protein pancakes or a smoothie bowl -

Reviewing Smoothie Bowl Recipes
A smoothie bowl is essentially a thick smoothie that is served up in a bowl with a variety of toppings. It is delicious and feels like a decadent treat while also being a very healthy choice.

Gently supporting your body in a delicious way with their herbal tea and body cleanse is also great.

Who Needs to Reboot Their Body?

I think most of us need to reboot our bodies at some point so that it's working efficiently. I think of when my internet connection is dropping out or just seems to hang, the first thing I do is hit the reset button on my wifi router and 99% of the time that's all it takes.

So why would you need to hit the reset button on your body? Well, let me list a few symptoms that may show your body isn't working as well as it could be -

Bloating
Bad Breath
Feeling Tired
Dry Lips
Insomnia
Sore Muscles
Hormonal Imbalance
Low Libido
Brain Fog
Skin Breakouts
Headaches
Depression
Gas
Skin Rashes
Low Energy

What Do I Get with the 30 Day Pack?

When you order the plan you will receive 2 x bags of protein powder, 2 x boxes of CleanTox tea, 2 x boxes of Fizz Sticks, 1 x Gut Health and your choice of 2 out of the three following - Gut Health fibre, Body Cleanse, Be Well Superfood Greens.

You also get access to a private coaching group on Facebook, a downloadable recipe book, 30 days' worth of meal plans (both vegan and non-vegan plans) and you can message me any time. I've actually done this plan a few times so can help with any questions you have.

30 Days to Healthy Living and Beyond

Changes I Have Personally Experienced

When I did my first 30 days to healthy living I found that I had lost 5kg (11 lb), I had lots of energy, I wasn't experiencing any mood swings (I am menopausal and these had been quite bad), my hot flushes had stopped, my sleeping had improved, my energy levels were really high and (as a total surprise) I was no longer sore or stiff in the morning when I woke up.

Now that last point was a big surprise to me as I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis approx 16 years ago. I had come off of my medications about a decade ago and had been managing my condition with diet & lifestyle. I had accepted, however, that I would be stiff in the mornings and sometimes a little sore - a combination of RA and getting older. I have discovered that while doing this plan that was no longer the case and hasn't been all year!

Now I'm not claiming that this will work for everyone, but I can't think why you wouldn't give it a try!

What Happens After the Reboot

Part of the health reboot is eliminating certain foods for 30 days, now if you want to maximize the effect of this plan you need to gradually reintroduce these foods one at a time over the following few weeks. This way you can pinpoint which foods (if any) affect you.

Foods can affect you differently as you age as well. When we get older our bodies produce fewer digestive enzymes and this is why when I was on an elimination diet over a decade ago only one food seemed to affect me. I now know that I have to reduce how often I eat other foods too.

The other thing that will happen after you've been making your clean meals for one meal a day (most people have dinners, but you may have chosen lunch) is that it's much easier to make your second meal as well. I admit that a number of people I know actually continue to have a smoothie for their breakfast after finishing the plan. In my case, it's because it's easy, yummy and keeps me full!

Interested in Learning More?

Contact me via messenger on my Facebook page or leave a comment below and I'll get back to you with more information including how to order it at a discount.

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Friday, December 14, 2018

Finding Father Christmas Hallmark Movie Reviewed

Hallmark never fails to bring us movies that are touching and wonderful! Finding Father Christmas was no exception.

I especially love watching the Hallmark movies during the holidays. I suspect that is simply because Christmas time tends to get hectic and we all need breaks from the work. Since Hallmark is a trusted source of great entertainment, I enjoy taking my breaks with Hallmark and watching the Hallmark Christmas movies offered online.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, yes, of course there is romance in the air too, but it is not with Father Christmas!

Hallmark Movie: Finding Father Christmas

The movie opens with Miranda (Erin Krakow) as a child watching and listening to her mother performing in a production of "Scrooge" onstage. Having heard her mother play the part many times, Miranda also has all of the lines memorized. When her mother suddenly stops speaking, Miranda races to her to find that she has died. Needless to say, having her mother die at Christmas when she was only 9 years old, leaves her avoiding Christmas celebrations in the future.

The movie quickly transitions to Miranda as an adult at Christmas time. She receives a call from a gentleman at the theater where her mother died. While renovating the theater, he had found an old suitcase that belonged to Miranda's mother and wishes to give it to Miranda. When Miranda goes through her mother's belongings, she finds a few clues about her unknown father, including an angel bracelet and a picture of Father Christmas. She imagines these clues will at least show her where she might find him. She immediately plans a trip to Carlton Heath, Vermont in the hopes of finding her father, but first, she must find Father Christmas to determine why his picture was among her mother's hidden treasures.

Finding Father ChristmasCheck Price

The Sequel is also available!

Currently, "Finding Father Christmas" is also available on Amazon with a subscription to the Hallmark Channel.

More Movies REVIEWED ON REVIEW THIS!
Available with Subscription to the Hallmark Channel

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Finding Father Christmas Hallmark Movie Reviewed Written by:

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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Review of Hot Drink for the Holidays

Hot Holiday Punch Recipe Postcard

by mbgphoto

Hot Drink for Cold Days

I love to entertain during the holiday season. When my guests come in from a cold winters evening a cup of hot holiday punch will make them feel warm and festive.

Over the years I have experimented with several combinations for hot drinks and have ended up using this one for the past ten years or so. It has just the right blend of juices and spices and is great with or without alcohol added. I always serve the alcohol on the side and let the guest decide how much to add or not.